Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1887-01-14
THE NEW COUNTY JAIL.


There is some discussion going on as to
where to locate the new Jail and what sort
of II building to erect Some favor gong
to the north part of the city, away from the
thickiy inhabited section, for n location,
while many others favor more central
point. The arguments III favor Of remov
ing the Jail to the outskirts of the city are
that jails as ordinarily builtare apt IT, have
more or less Objectionable features, ana
that it would be desirable to place it where
such features would give the least offence,
and that IA cheaper building would answer
in such Il location These are considera-
lions of some weight.
But it is to be considered that to build
the county jall away from the centre of
population on the extreme outskirts of a
city like Burlington, would probably
necessitate the erection of II temporary
lookup within easy reach of the square
in winch policemen might place criminals
arrested for petty crimes on the streets,
particularly at night This was the case
| in Rutland, when the Jail was located in
the Work House beyond the village limits,
and it was found necessary to get a lock
! up in the centre of the village
! Furthermore 1t will not be necessary to
! locate the Jail away from population in
order to obviate the objections usually as
! sOCated with such building. The style
! and methods of construction Of buildings
! for such purposes have vastly improved
within Il few years and in many places the
| Jail is now made as ornamental AS any
| other public building, and as free IRON
anything that can cause annoyance OF
objection to the neighbors.
We have before us the elevation and
plans OF Jail recently built at Appleton,
| Wisconsin. tits built after new plan, hav
| ing peculiar rotary Arrangement of the
cells. The general shape Of the buildinl
/ is Il paralleOgram and it is three stories
high. The front half is arranged for tn,
living rooms of the ialler and the sheriff
Office and 1t contains all the desirable tea
lures of Il modern residence. The rear par
of the building Is OctagOual in shape ant
contains 20 cells III two tiers of ten each ar
ranged in a rotary compartment, made o
iron, In the centre of the octagOn with
walk clear around, giving no opportunity
for the prisoners to reach the outer wall
The cells can be opened only by revolving
the whole compartment till the door o
. the cell that Is wanted comes opposite
to the corridor door. The Arrangement
tor keeping the prisoners secure, for let
ting them out to their meals, to eNercls
. and all sanitary arrangements seem to b
very complete. y central tower over tn
ocJagUu gives ventilation and auothe
tower ia front adds to the architecture
/ tntCl VI me Dull'llbS. 1 ne iltltlltl !
brick, With stone trimmings.
This building was erected ut an eNpeus
l OF 100000 ana the builder offers TO dupll
Cate II IN burlington Tor the same price
The rotary features of the jail ar
patented. such "A building as we describe
: would be an ornament anywhere and on
: commissioners ought To look up the merit
of the structure and see ii It central loca
. ltiOu would not be desirable. 1t Is under
stood that the city is ready to Civ
the county the free use of sufficient lau,
: on the city market lot for such bullu
, Ing. This being the case why should tn
county 90 to the expense of buying a lot
If the loo is to be bought the purchas
must Use ny considerable portion OF tn
/ funds and then the county would have t
: get along with very indifferent if nc
> wholly Inadequate building The con
mlttee will probably have about so, 900 t
apply To the purpose, why will it not b
better for all concerned To accept the ole
of the city for the land and use all TN
! money to give the county a COmmOdiOu
and perfectly safe jail, II handsome an
: well arranged building fully adapted f.
= its purposes and Of ample capacity for tn
!, county as long as ii stands
i Those who feel an interest in the ma
:. ter can see the plans of the Appleton ia
- at the FREE PRESS office.